The Importance of Isolation

The Importance of Isolation very important informative article
http://groups.msn.com/TheVioletVoiceTestSite/isolation.msnw

Excellent point! I was far more active at growing AV's about a decade ago, and I believe one of the worst things that can spread to one's AV's through injudicious mixing/lack of isolation are (SHUDDER!) cyclamen mites!

persevere1 eekkk that's a scary word. Your so right. I say Isolation ,
Isolation and Isolation. You can never go worng :))
Allison

Important bump

Thanks for the reminder.... I should know that since my DIL gave me a beautiful croton for my birthday which we brought into the house and later discovered was absolutely infested with aphids. I spent the holiday season fighting those critters and just won the war (I think) a few weeks ago, and yet I've been bringing in new plants like crazy with out thinking (but with lots of enthusiasm). Will be setting up isolation areas immediately. Fortunately, all the new plants are in one area and not in the greenhouse. I know better than to do that!!!!
Sharon

This is a great reminder for us newbies - I lost a whole table of plants from a "great deal" at a plant store many years ago, because I brought it home, and put it in with the others, and it had spider mites!!

Sob.

I keep my new acquisitions isolated now for ages before I mix them in, and I usually discard the soil they came in, bleach and wash the pot, put in new sterilised soil, etc.

Thanks, Allison, and others, for the reminder!

Your welcome ! It's always a reminder for myself too. I have seen so many people lose their collections.

Great reminder, Allison - - a lesson I learned the hard way. I brought home a new Optimara from Menards early this fall and failed to isolate it. Ended up throwing away about 30-35 blooming-sized violets that I suspect were infected with Cyclamin Mites! =0(

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